Meat package



SP't- 13, 1938. H. c. EcKRlcH ET'AL 2,129,832

'- MEAT PACKAGE Filed Aug. 18, 1957 Nea/.ff M

Petettted sept. 13,1938

,UNITED STATES 1 rra1-rr OFFICE MEAT PACKAGE of Indiana l Application August 1s, 1937, serial No. 159,668

io'clsims. (ci. sis-176) The main objects of this invention are: v First, to provide a casing for meat products which is highly eficient in the protection of the product and is effective for such protection over a long period of time and under varying weather conditions.

Second, to'prod'uce an improved meat package.

Third, to provide a casing for meat and other food 'products which is economical both in the matter of materials used and in applying to the product.

Further objects pertaining to details and econom'ies of the invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is pointed out in the claims.

Our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: g Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sldeview of a meat package embodying our invention illustrating the first step in applying the casing. i Fig. 2 isa fragmentary side view illustrating one of lthe steps in the production of the package.

Fig. 3 is a view largely diagrammatic illustrating the dipping or coating step.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating the dipping step following the coating.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view/of the completed package. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is` an enlarged detail section on line of Fig. 5. f

In the marketing of meat products such as liver sausage, liver loaf and other meat loaves or meat products, it is essential to provide an effective protecting coating. Animal fats have been used for that purpose but there are various objections and difficulties in using such materials owing to the instability of the fats and tendency toward rancidity.

In our application for patent, Serial No. 159,- 709, filed August 18, 1937, We have described our improved fat substitute and method of making it in detail. This fat` substitute or meat dip, as itis commercially designated by us, comprises f a homogeneous combination of gelatin and a fat or fatty material such for instance as lard, cocoanut oil, vegetable oils or other oils or fats, particularly those whichvare solid at normal atmospheric temperatures.

These materials are combined to produce a homogeneous substance having a consistency closely approaching that of the white of a boiled' egg. As set'forth'and claimed-ln our said coare Fahrenheit.-

pending application, gelatin is dissolved or combined with Waterl and violently agitated to a frothy condition, then the melted fatty material isadded and the mixture agitated to homogeneity.

We preferably use about'3 pounds of water 5 to 1 pound of dry gelatin, and 3 pounds of the' fatty material to 4 pounds of the liquid or dis'- solved gelatin. t

A typical procedure in producing the aforesaid fat substitute or meat dip is as follows: 10

To pounds of cold water we add 30-pounds of powdered dry gelatin. Preferably the water is stirred while the gelatin is added. The water and gelatin mixture is then heated to approximately 180 to 190 degrees by placing the container in a 15 vat of water at that temperature and this is maintained until all of the gelatin has been dissolved. The liquid gelatin is then placed. in a beater or agitatorwhich is 'operated at high speed `for about two minutes, which produces a frothy 20 condition in the gelatin. While in this condition and while continuing to agitate the gelatin, we gradually add or pour into the container melted lard, cocoanut oil, vegetable oil, or any oil or fat which will solidify when cold, in the proportions 25 of about 3 pounds of fatty material to 4 pounds of the liquid gelatin. The fatty material is preferably at about degrees when poured into the gelatin.

After the fatty material has been poured into 30 the gelatin, the beating or agitation is continued for approximately two minutes, which ordinarily results in a homogeneous mixture. The mixture may then be placed in a container for storage and preferably cooled in a refrigerator at from 35 35 to 40 degrees. The temperatures indicated When cooledfthe product has the consistency approximating that of the white` of a `boiled egg In the accompanying drawing i represents the 50 meat body and 2 such an inner casing. This inner casing is tied at the ends as indicated at 3 -which is usual practice. After applying the casing 2 is perforated 'as indicated at t in Fig. 2. This also is old practice in meatprocessing. 'I'he 55 This dipping results in a complete continuous coating ii, see Fig. 6, the coating material hav- ...ag portions l2 entering the perforations and serving as a means for eectively binding the coating to the inner liner 2.

After the coating il has completely solidied,

which may be hastened by placing in a refrigerator, although it solidiiies quite quickly in any event as the temperature of the material when dipping. is only such as to liquefy it or reduce it, to dipping consistency, the product is stuied into an outer casing I3 of cellulose material or preferably a transparent material, and it is ready for storage or the market.

While the coating is not intended as a' food it is wholesome and edible, and should any fragments thereof become attached to the food through the openings 4 it is not noticeable or objectionable.

We have illustrated and described our invention in an embodiment which we have found very practical. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe various adaptations or to indicate the various foods and products to which the coating may be applied as we believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt our invention as may be desired.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters `Patent is:

l. A meat package comprising a body of meat, and a casing therefor comprising a fibrous liner encasing the body of meat and having a plurality of holes therein, a continuous intermediate dip sealing coating for the brous casing comprising lard and gelatin homogeneously combined and having a consistency approximating that of the white of a boiled egg, and an' outer covering of cellulose material closely fitting the intermediate coating, said coating extending into said holes to bind the casing` and coating together.

2. A meat package comprising a body of meat, and a. casing therefor comprising a ilbrous liner .encasing the body of meat and having a plurality of holestherein, and a continuous intermediate dip sealing coating for the brous casing comprising lard and gelatin homogeneously combined and solidifying at atmospheric temperatures, said coating extending into said holes to b ind the casing and coating together.

3. A meat package comprising a body of' meat,

and a casing therefor comprising a fibrous liner` encasing the body oi meat and having a plurality of holes therein, a continuous .intermediate dip This sealing coating for the fibrous casing comprising a fat which will solidify at atmospheric temperatures and gelatin homogeneously combined and having a consistency approximating `that o1' the white of a boiled egg, and an outer protecting covering closely fitting the intermediate coating.

4. A meat package comprising a body of meat, and a casing therefor comprising a fibrous liner encasing the body of meat and having a plurality of holes therein, a continuous intermediate dip a fat which will solidify at atmospheric temperatures and gelatin hcmogeneously combined, .in outer protecting covering closely fitting the intermediate coating.

5. A casing for meat products comprising a fibrous linerhaving a plurality of holes therein, a

continuous intermediate dip sealing coating for the fibrous liner comprising water, gelatin and lard homogeneously mixed and having a consistency approximately that of the white of a boiled egg, and an outer covering of cellulose material closely fitting the intermediate coating.

6. A casing for meat products comprising a perforated liner, a continuous intermediate dip water, gelatin and lard in the proportion of about 4 pounds of the combined water and gelatin to 3 pounds of lard homogeneously mixed and having a consistency approximately that of the White of a boiled egg. and an outer protective covering.

8. A casing for meat products comprising a perforated fibrous liner, a continuous intermediate dip sealing coating for the fibrous casing comprising water, gelatin and an edible fatty material which is solid at atmospheric temperature in the proportion of about 4 pounds of the combined water and gelatin to 3 pounds of fatty material homogeneously mixed, and an outer covering.

sea1ing coating for the fibrous casing comprising 9. Acasing for meat products comprising a j fibrous liner having a plurality of holes therein, a continuous intermediate dip sealing coating for the brous casing comprising water, gelatin and an edible fatty material which is solid at rtmospheric temperature homogeneously mixed and having a consistency approximately that of the White of a boiled egg, and an outer covering of cellulose material clos'ely fitting the intermediate coating. 10. A casing for meat-products comprising a perforated liner, a continuous intermediate dip sealing coating for the fibrous casing comprising water, gelatin andan edible fatty material which is solid at atmospheric temperature homogeneously mixed and having a consistency approximately that of the white of a boiled egg, and an outer covering.

HENRY CARL ECKRICH.

HERMAN J .A ECKRICH, SR. 

